Travel guide · Bahamas
Nassau travel guide
Pastel colonial streets, Junkanoo and turquoise water on New Providence
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
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Quick answer
Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas, sits on the north shore of New Providence island. Its compact downtown along Bay Street has pink colonial government buildings, the Straw Market and the cruise-ship piers at Prince George Wharf, with 18th-century forts on the ridge behind. Bridges cross the harbour to Paradise Island and the Atlantis resort, while Cable Beach to the west has the island's main string of beach resorts. Fish-fry stalls at Arawak Cay, Junkanoo parades at Christmas and New Year and boat trips to the Exuma Cays round out a visit. Plan 5 days for a first visit; the best months are December–April.
Key facts
- Country
- Bahamas
- Best time to visit
- December–April
- Ideal stay
- 5 days
- Main airports
- NAS
- Mid-range daily budget
- $280–$500 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Atlantis Paradise Island, Junkanoo, Conch and Cable Beach
Why visit Nassau
- The water around New Providence shifts from turquoise to deep blue within metres of the shore, with Cabbage Beach and Cable Beach the best-known stretches of sand.
- Downtown's Parliament Square, Queen's Staircase and Fort Fincastle are within a 15-minute walk of the cruise piers.
- Conch salad and cracked conch at the Arawak Cay Fish Fry are a quintessential Bahamian meal.
- Junkanoo, the costumed street parade on Boxing Day and New Year's Day, is one of the Caribbean's great festivals.
- Speedboat and seaplane day trips reach the Exuma Cays, with their sandbars and famous swimming pigs.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 15 things to do.
Theme park · Paradise Island
Atlantis Aquaventure
The Atlantis resort's water park has slides through shark-filled tanks, including the Leap of Faith from a Mayan temple replica, a lazy river with rapids and large pools.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Iconic
- Active
Landmark · Downtown Nassau
Parliament Square
Pink, colonnaded government buildings from the early 19th century surround a statue of a seated Queen Victoria on Bay Street.
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Iconic
- Photo spot
Experience · West Bay Street
Arawak Cay Fish Fry
A row of brightly painted shacks on reclaimed land west of downtown, where Bahamians come for conch salad, fried fish, cracked conch and Kalik beer, often with music in the evenings.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- After dark
- Iconic
Beach · Paradise Island
Cabbage Beach
A long stretch of white sand along Paradise Island's north shore, backed by sea grape and resorts.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Kids
Beach · Downtown Nassau
Junkanoo Beach
The closest beach to the cruise piers, a few minutes' walk west along Bay Street, with beach bars, music and loungers for rent.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Food
Historic site · Downtown Nassau
Queen's Staircase
Sixty-six limestone steps cut by hand into a narrow gorge in the late 18th century lead up to Fort Fincastle.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Photo spot
Where to stay
Downtown Nassau is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 6 areas.
$$ · Best for first-timers, culture, budget and shopping
Downtown Nassau
Bay Street's colonial buildings, the Straw Market and the cruise piers
$$$$ · Best for families, luxury, beach and nightlife
Paradise Island
Resort island across the harbour, dominated by Atlantis and Cabbage Beach
$$$$ · Best for beach, families, couples and luxury
Cable Beach
Strip of large beach resorts along West Bay Street
$$$ · Best for quiet stays, families and couples
Sandyport and Old Fort Bay
Canal-side condos and quieter western beaches
What to eat
- Conch salad — Raw queen conch diced and 'cooked' in lime and orange juice with tomato, onion, sweet peppers and hot goat pepper, made fresh to order.
- Cracked conch — Conch tenderised, battered and deep-fried, served with fries or peas 'n' rice and a dipping sauce.
- Conch fritters — Small fried balls of batter with chopped conch, onion and peppers, served with a spicy-sweet dipping sauce.
- Peas 'n' rice — Rice cooked with pigeon peas, tomato, thyme and salt pork, the default side dish at almost every Bahamian meal.
- Bahamian mac and cheese — A firm, baked macaroni cheese cut into squares, often spiced with peppers and onion — a staple side rather than a main.
- Boiled fish and johnnycake — A traditional breakfast of fish stewed with lime, onion and pepper in broth, served with grits and dense, slightly sweet johnnycake bread.
When to go
The best time to visit Nassau is mid-December to April, when the weather is dry and comfortable and hurricanes are not a concern; late December adds Junkanoo, while April and early May offer warm seas and lower prices after Easter. June to November is hotter and wetter, with the highest hurricane risk from August to October.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter high season | December–April | Dry, sunny and mild, with Junkanoo, spring break and the highest prices. |
| Early summer | May–June | Warmer seas and lower prices, with afternoon showers increasing in June. |
| Summer | July–August | Hot and humid, busy with families, with Independence and Emancipation holidays. |
| Hurricane peak | September–November | Highest storm risk in September and October and the lowest prices; November brings drier weather back. |
Getting there and around
Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) is about 15 km west of downtown. Taxis take about 20 minutes to Cable Beach, 30 minutes to downtown and 35–45 minutes to Paradise Island, at set zone fares. There is no direct public bus from the terminal for most visitors.
Downtown Nassau is walkable, and jitneys (minibuses) connect it with Cable Beach and other parts of New Providence for a low flat fare. Taxis charge government-set rates by zone, and water taxis cross the harbour to Paradise Island. Traffic drives on the left.
Plan your days
Three days covers downtown's forts and Parliament Square, the Fish Fry, a beach day and Paradise Island. Five days lets you add a day trip to the Exuma Cays or Rose Island and more time on the beach.
Practical information
- Currency
- BSD
- Language
- English
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz (same as the US)
- Tap water
- Tap water is treated, but many visitors prefer bottled or filtered water, which resorts usually supply.
- Emergency number
- 911 or 919 (police, ambulance, fire)
- Tipping
- Many restaurants add a 15% gratuity automatically.
Tourist areas are generally calm, but petty theft and bag-snatching occur, and some neighbourhoods away from the tourist zones are best avoided at night. Use licensed taxis, keep valuables out of sight on beaches, and respect red flags on beaches with currents.
Flights to Nassau
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Nassau?
Three days covers downtown's forts and Parliament Square, the Fish Fry, a beach day and Paradise Island. Five days lets you add a day trip to the Exuma Cays or Rose Island and more time on the beach. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Nassau?
The best time to visit Nassau is mid-December to April, when the weather is dry and comfortable and hurricanes are not a concern; late December adds Junkanoo, while April and early May offer warm seas and lower prices after Easter. June to November is hotter and wetter, with the highest hurricane risk from August to October.
+What is Nassau known for?
Atlantis Paradise Island, Junkanoo, Conch, Cable Beach, Straw Market, Turquoise water and Cruise port. The water around New Providence shifts from turquoise to deep blue within metres of the shore, with Cabbage Beach and Cable Beach the best-known stretches of sand.
+Is Nassau expensive?
Nassau is very expensive for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $280–$500 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Nassau?
No for a beach or resort stay: taxis, jitneys and water taxis cover downtown, Cable Beach and Paradise Island. A car helps for exploring the west and south coasts, Clifton Heritage and quieter beaches.